McKinsey Sends AI Usage Warnings Like Your Data-Hungry Smartphone Provider
KEY POINTS
- â˘By May 2026, McKinsey was processing roughly five trillion AI tokens monthly, heavily used by 10% of staff.
- â˘Debasish Patnaik said the firm sends email alerts to consultants exceeding 'reasonable' AI token usage instead of setting hard limits.
- â˘Other firms like EY deployed AI governance tools such as invisible routers, cutting token consumption by 60% since April.
In a 2026 coup of corporate common sense, McKinsey & Company bravely decided not to ban AI abuse outright but simply email fired-up consultants warnings akin to 'Youâre hogging the AI snacks again!' Debasish Patnaik, head of QuantumBlack UK, compared this to mobile data alertsâbecause nothing says 'adult supervision' like an email nag reminding you to curb your OpenAI token binge. By May, McKinsey was gobbling five trillion AI tokens a month; 10% of users devoured 65%, leaving the rest to chew on PowerPoints. They even built an 'internal AI gateway' and 'circuit breakers'âthink seatbelts and airbags for token overindulgence. Meanwhile, EYâs 'AI Value Realization Office' uses an 'invisible router' to cut token use by 60%. Clearly, the future of consultancy is dry but token-conscious.
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(1 of 3)Turns out McKinseyâs AI crisis is less 'Skynet takeover' and more 'your phone bill just doubled.' Warning emails for eating AI tokens like candy? Peak corporate chair-watching, folks.
McKinseyâs answer to AI cost overruns? Emailing consultants 'Cut it out' like toddlers with cookie jars. Adulthood is so overrated.
Five trillion AI tokens a month and a 60% cut with an invisible router? Consulting firms are basically spending corporate fortunes on digital breadcrumbs.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 9/10/2026 | Author: Polly Thompson
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